INEC Presidential Election And Reactions From Nigerians

           

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed the presidential and National Assembly elections for February 14, 2015. In the 2015 general elections timetable which INEC released yesterday in Abuja, the commission said they would be followed on February 28 by the governorship and state houses of assembly elections.


In a statement signed by INEC secretary Mrs. Augusta Ogakwu, the commission said the Ekiti State governorship election would hold on June 21, 2014, while the Osun State poll would take place on August 9, 2014.
The statement added that the commission arrived at the dates for the elections after its four-day retreat which held in Kaduna from January 21.
The three-paragraph statement read: "Pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended), the Independent national Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the timetable and schedule of activities leading to the 2015 general elections and the Ekiti and osun governorship elections.
"After the deliberations at the four-day retreat held in the Assa Pyramid Hotel, Kaduna from Tuesday 21st - Friday 24th January, 2014, the commission has scheduled the presidential and National assembly elections for 14th February, 2015 and the governorship and state houses of assembly elections for 28th February, 2015.
"The Ekiti State governorship election is scheduled to hold on 21st June, 2014 while the Osun State governorship election is scheduled to hold on 9th August, 2014."
Jonathan to declare ambition in May - presidency
Although the Presidency has played down the ultimatum given to President Goodluck Jonathan by a group to declare his interest in the 2015 presidential race, there are strong feelers that the president may declare his ambition in May this year.
A reliable presidency source, which said the National Coalition For Jonathan/Sambo Presidency's (NACOJP) 45-day ultimatum to indicate his interest in the 2015 presidential race or face its wrath, said Jonathan was not bound to heed the demand, adding that the group was merely expressing its freedom to be heard in a free society.

Reactions from Various sources

Frontline politician, Alhaji Balarabe Musa on Saturday said the time table released for the 2015 general elections has given reasonable time for the conclusion of litigations before the inauguration of elected officials.

Musa said this in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Kaduna.

He said the time given was “reasonably enough” to dispose of all cases that would arise from the election “provided the judiciary would do its work dispassionately.”

Musa also said political parties now have the freedom to openly campaign and woo voters before the elections.

According to him, before now some of the politicians have been campaigning discreetly with the Independent National Electoral Commission not calling them to order.

The former Kaduna State Governor and leader of the Peoples Redemption Party was however pessimistic of a free, fair and credible election.

“The impunity with which the laws are ignored and consistency of election rigging in the country will make it very difficult to have a free, fair and credible election.”

He therefore predicted poor turn out during the polls, saying “the interest of the electorate would be very marginal because of the negative state of the nation.”

Some prominent lawyers in Lagos on Saturday commended the Independent National Electoral Commission for its timely release of the timetable for the 2015 general elections.

The lawyers, in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos, called on the populace to support INEC towards making the election a success.

NAN reports that the commission, in a statement issued on Friday, fixed the Presidential and National Assembly elections for Feb. 14, 2015.

It also fixed state assembly and governorship elections for Feb.28, 2015.

Mr Onyekachi Ubani, the Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja branch, said the timetable was in accordance with the provisions of the Electoral Act.

“The Electoral Act has made provisions for the resolution of all election matters within 90 days.

“So, I think INEC is thinking and planning ahead towards ensuring that these matters are resolved before the inauguration of eventual winners,” he said.

A human rights activist and lawyer, Mr Fred Agbaje, urged INEC to put all logistics in place towards the realisation of free and fair polls.

Agbaje also advised politicians to abide by the relevant electoral laws and put an end to unguarded utterances capable of heating up the polity.

“The utterances by some of our politicians have clearly showed that they are not ready to play by the rules,” he said.

Another lawyer, Mr Wale Ogunade, told NAN that it was the responsibility of every Nigerian to cooperate with INEC to ensure that it succeeded in delivering on its mandates.

“The timetable was issued by INEC based on its ability to conduct the elections. All stakeholders, including the politicians, should work with it to make a success of the project,” he said.

Some other stakeholders also commented on the release of the time table.

Mr Yinka Odunmakin, National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, a sociopolitical organisation, told NAN that the timing of the elections gave enough time to have the national conference, complete it and subject it to a referendum.

He said it was important that several issues which caused tension in the country should be resolved by the national conference before the elections.

Mr Mohammed Oyefeso, a former Electoral Commissioner of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission said the timing would reduce tension in some states.

“I want to commend INEC for putting us on notice this time around and for setting the tone.

“This will reduce the tension in some states and everybody will want to play and abide by the rules of the game,” Oyefeso said.

The Chairman, National Coalition of Political Parties, Mr Damian Ogonna, said releasing the timetable on time would allow political parties adequate time to prepare.

“Releasing it on time is good as it will allow parties to work ahead of time.

“But the commission should not fail to recognise political parties that have been freed by the ruling of the Federal High Court,” Ogbonna said.

Two members of the Lagos State House of Assembly also spoke on the release of the time table.

Mr Segun Olulade, the Chairman, House Committee on information and Publicity LAHA told NAN that INEC should now prove to the world that it was capable of conducting free and fair elections.

Olulade, (APC-Epe II), said that the electoral body must conduct elections that would minimise any form of litigation in 2015.

“They should allow people to develop more confidence in the commission,” he said.

Mr Bisi Yusuf, the Chairman, House Committee on Transportation, Commerce and Industry also told NAN that what was more important was the conduct of flawless elections rather than just timely release of the time table.

Yusuf (APC-Alimosho I) said that INEC should show more signs of seriousness toward the coming election and prepare adequately for them.